Page 39 of The Soul of Archer
Lance awoke slowly, feeling completely at ease. Sighing he looked down at the woman in his arms. Alora was curled up against him, her head lay over his heart, one arm draped over his waist and the other curved under her, her palm lying flat against his chest. Even in sleep she looked beautiful to him. He dropped a gentle kiss to her forehead before he slipped from her embrace. He pulled on a pair of jeans and quietly made his way downstairs. When he reached the doorway of the kitchen, he paused and drank in the scene before him. His mom stood in his dad’s arms as he kissed her. In a day and age where the divorce rate was high, he was glad his mom and dad were still together after twenty-nine years and their love for each other was as strong now as it was when they married. Smiling a little he cleared his throat before fully walking into the kitchen and heading for the coffee pot.
“Morning son.” Alex greeted.
“Morning. Glad to see some things haven’t changed. You two still make-out anywhere and don’t care if someone sees.” Lance replied.
“And why should we care Lance? Your dad and I love each other, and he likes to show everyone I’m his and that he’s mine.” Carmen shot back saucily as she pulled out the frying pan. Lance just chuckled moving to fix himself some coffee.
“Where’s Alora?” Alex asked, sitting at the table.
“Still asleep.” Lance replied, joining his dad. “I know she’s trying not to, but she’s worried about what’s going to happen in Houston next weekend. Honestly so am I. My boys are down there and I’m here.”
“Lance, your team knows what they’re doing. They also know that if these bastards slip by them in Houston, you and Alora are at the top on their list of targets,” Alex stated.
Lance sipped his coffee and sat back in his chair. “I know that dad. I think that’s what’s got Alora worried too. Well, that and one of them getting hurt. This isn’t like the case with Krista. Ingram was one psycho. The Malconi’s are well armed and well financed. This round we’re dealing with the mob.”
“Baby, I know you’re worried about Ethan and the others too. But you need to remember something. They, like you, are Marines. You five were the best of the best and they’ll prove that. Now, if the Malconi’s do get away, you five will just find another way to grab them. There’s always more than one way to catch a snake like Sam Malconi and his father.” Carmen added.
Lance smiled. “You really should have been in the military mom. You have a strategic mind like nobody else.”
Carmen snorted. “Hell no. I don’t take orders very well.”
Alex looked over his cup at Carmen, “Oh I don’t know about that honey.”
Lance began coughing as he choked on his coffee when he caught his dad’s meaning. “Dad! Damn, not before I’ve eaten please.”
Carmen and Alex just began laughing as she set about making breakfast. Lance could only shake his head at his parents’ antics. While sex had never been a taboo subject in the Archer house, no kid no matter how old wanted to hear about their parent’s sex life. Lance included. He could only chuckle and shake his head when his mom walked over to give his dad another kiss before returning to the stove. Lance had always been fascinated with the affection his parents showed each other. No matter where they were or what they were doing, his parents weren’t shy about sharing a kiss, a hug, or holding hands in public. Something he and his mother had little experience with. That was until Alex came into their lives. After that, there were hugs, kisses, and lots of happiness. Lance remembered the night he met his dad. Sipping his coffee, he reflected on that night.
***
Lance sat in the living room reading while his mom was in the kitchen trying to figure out dinner. Almost a year ago his father had been sent to prison for beating up on him and his mom. Tonight, she was supposed to go out with a man named Alex Archer, but that afternoon Lance’s babysitter had to cancel, and his mom had to cancel her date. Lance felt bad because his mom had looked so excited and happy. He frowned when someone knocked on the door.
“I got it mom.” Lance called out.
He got of the sofa and walked to the door. Slowly he opened it and found a man standing on the tiny porch. The man was tall, dark hair, blue eyes and a friendly smile. “Hi there, I’m looking for Carmen?”
“Who are you?” Lance demanded wearily.
The man knelt so he was eye level with Lance, “I see I’m at the right place. I’m Alex Archer. And you must be Lance.”
Alex extended his hand. Lance studied it for a second before taking it. Before Lance or Alex could speak, Carmen came up behind Lance and let out a surprised gasp. “A... Alex. What are you doing here? Did you not get my message at the station?”
Alex stood and smiled. “Oh, I got it, but figured I’d swing by. I’m here to take you AND Lance out on our date.”
“Me? You want to take me?” Lance asked in shock. His father had never taken him anywhere.
“Why not? I thought you, your mom and me could get to know each other. I was thinking burgers, ice cream after then maybe a movie. What do you say Lance?” Alex replied.
Lance didn’t know what to think. The only person who ever wanted to know what he thought had been his mother. He looked from Alex, to his mom, then back at Alex. “Um, well, I guess.”
“Alright then. Carmen, what do you say?” Alex asked.
***
That had been the REAL start of Lance’s family. After that first date, Alex became a regular fixture. Six months after, Alex had brought him and mom out to the house he was currently sitting in. There on the front porch, Alex had asked not only Carmen, but Lance too, if she would marry him. When Lance asked why Alex asked him too, Alex had said that marrying Carmen meant he was marrying him too in a sense. After Carmen said yes, Alex handed her the keys to the house and said it was hers and Lance’s. After all this time he could still see the same look of love on his dad’s face whenever he looked at his mom.
“You okay Lance?” Alex asked.
“Yeah dad, I was just remembering the day I met you.” Lance smiled.
